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Fact vs Myth, Top 5 Superstitions in Korea

Published Date : Jul 31, 2020 / Edited Date : Aug 31, 2023


Fact vs Myth Top 5:
Superstitions in Korea


What kind of role do superstitions play in our lives? It's easy to dismiss superstitions altogether, but every so often you may question yourself as to whether they could hold some truth. On that note, today we'll have a look at some locations that are home to superstitions around the city and explore the various rumors that commonly come and go. Let's dive right in and see how much truth it all holds before venturing out with friends or that special someone on a memorable date course, shall we?

#1 One stroll on the stonewall walkway leads to a breakup.

Deoksugung Palace Stonewall Walkway

One of the most well-known anecdotes of the Deoksugung Palace is in relation to the stonewall walkway that surrounds the palace. The average Seoulite is likely familiar with this superstition, while it actually stems from a somewhat convincing background. The end of the walkway was once home to to the Seoul Family Court until 1995. Up until that time, there had been numerous couples heading to the courthouse on their way to get a divorce. This, in fact, is what led to the rumor coming about. However, after it was renovated into the Seoul Museum of Art, the curse no longer stands to be effective, or so it is said. So, now that we understand how it all began, put your concerns aside and come for a stroll with that special someone along the beautiful scenery the walkway provides. You can't give up such a great photo opportunity just because of a silly rumor, am I right?! :)

Tag #DeoksugungStonewallWalkway #DeoksugungPalace #Superstition #SeoulDate

Information

  • Address 24, Sejong-daero 19-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (British Embassy)
Jeongdong-gil

Located along the palace stonewall walkway, visitors will come across the Jeongdong Theater. In front of the theater, the thoughtful phrase, "Together with you, one step at a time," is laid out in large lettering to signify the start of Jeongdong-gil. Jeongdong-gil is able to preserve the modern history of the city intact. The backstreet to the right of the theater also leads to a renowned palace hall, Jungmyeonjeon Hall. The hall emanates a picturesque structure, as old as the Chungdong First Methodist Church. Seoulites often frequent the outside area of the building to get in a beautiful snapshot amid the plush, green grass that complements the structure. The quaint serenity of Jeongdong-gil may not offer many vibrant activities or places to eat, but lots of people stop by to perhaps enjoy that sense of peace and quiet.

Tag #Jeongdong-gil #WalkingPath #JeongdongTheater #JeongdongChurch #SeoulMuseumOfArt

Information

  • Address 30-1, Jeong-dong, Jong-gu, Seoul

#2 The feng shui of Hannam-dong attracts the energy of wealth.

Hannam-dong Feng Shui

The name "Hannam-dong" is derived from the neutral geographical location between the Hangang River and Namsan Mountain . To the north stands the mountainside with green pastures, while the Hangang River flows through the city to the south. This particular blueprint of nature with the mountainside to the rear and a body of water in front is referred to as baesan-imsu (lit. backside, mountain; frontside, water). The geographical positioning, itself, is said to attract the "energy of wealth." However, no one can really know whether Hannam-dong actually benefitted from this in any way. Since that's the case, why not apply a little feng shui in your home to try and conjure up some of that energy to bring some wealth and prosperity into your life? Of course, be sure to take it with a grain of salt and just have fun!

Tip! How to incorporate feng shui into your home interior:

1. Avoid sleeping with your head facing the north.

2. Refrain from placing a large mirror in a spot facing the main entrance of your home.

3. Maintain as much as lighting in your home as possible.

4. Homes facing the south are preferable.

5. Keep the toilet cover down so as to avoid losing energy that attracts wealth.

Tag #Hannamdong #FengShui #MountainBackgroundWaterFront #FengShuiInterior

Information

  • Address Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

#3 The guardian of Seoul rests in Gwanaksan Mountain.

Jangseung & Sotdae of Gwananksan Mountain

Walk along the second section of Seoul Trail located on Gwanaksan Mountain and you'll find a number of jangseungs (Korean totem poles) and sotdaes (stone pillars) lining the trail. These characteristic structures served as so-called guardians that protected the local village from long ago. So, let's take a peek into the origin of these structures and why they stand where they are protecting the city of Seoul!


Jangseung

Don't mind the frightful faces of these tall totem poles. These structures, in fact, once served as guardians that protected the city. The ones lining the trail even have a curious background story. In July of 2011, there had been torrential rainfall that brought down many trees , which were then used to create the jangseungs and sotdaes lining the trail on Gwanaksan Mountain. From that point on, they became guardians of Seoul as they stood tall on the mountainside, often referred to as cheonhadaejanggun (lit. mighty general of the world) and jihayeojanggun (lit. mighty female general of the underworld).

 

Sotdae

With its lengthy history, the other guardian-like structure, sotdae, a name specific to Seoul, is called by soju, soldae, and other various names throughout different regions of the country. These pillars here on the mountain were created from about 50 or so trees that fell during heavy rains in the area some years ago. And atop each pillar, there is a cute-looking bird carved from the singular piece of wood. It makes for some great scenery for those making their way out to the trail for some adventure!

Tag #SeoulTrailSectionTwo #GwanaksanTrail #Jangseung #Sotdae #CommonBelief

Information

  • Address Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul

#4 Once you enter the "Eungam Triangle," there is no escape.


Eungam Triangle

There's a haunting saying that goes, "Don't fall asleep on the train at Eungam Station or you'll wake up right where you started." The "Eungam Triangle," also sometimes referred to a kind of mobius strip seemingly mimics that of the Bermuda Triangle from which there is no escape. Despite it's actual name, Eungam Loop, located at the northwestern end of line six, that particular area has become more infamous through its variety of nicknames. In fact, area residents that have found themselves once trapped within the Eungam Triangle are said to have once petitioned to shut down that part of the line. So then how exactly did the Eungam Triangle come to be, you ask? The Seoul Metro initially intended to construct line six up until Yeonsinnae Station, making it the final terminal, however, due to issues with noise and ground vibrations, a big conflict arose between Seoul Metro and area residents. This resulted in line six being constructed into the only loop found among all lines of the Seoul subway system.

Tag #BermudaTriangle #EungamTriangle #EungamLoop #EungamStation #SubwayLine6

Information

  • Address 477, Jeungsan-ro, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul Transporation Subway Line 6, Eungam Station
Eungam Gamjaguk Street

If you find yourself getting lost around Eungam Station, why not stop by the Gamjaguk Street of Eungam-dong? Gamjaguk Street is located right inside the Daerim Market and has been since the 1980s, preserving its tradition of gamjaguk , a pork soup with potatoes and other vegetable in a thick, savory broth. The first shop to open, Ehwa Gamjaguk, even celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. This popular eatery is open 24/7 and proudly offers its frequent line customers free refills. The women that run the business, greeting and serving the customers, emanate such a friendly vibe that you wholly experience the essence of Korean food and culture. Ehwa Gamjaguk is not only famous for its gamjaguk that surely hits the spot, but also for its tasty buchujeon, a Korean-style pancake with chives. You'll want to take some time out of your day to come visit this neighborhood favorite!

Tag #EungamGamjagukStreet #DaerimMarket #Gamjaguk #Buchujeon #Chives

Information

  • Address 176-1, Eungam-ro, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul
  • Hours Daily 00:00 - 24:00 (Open year round)
  • Tel +82-2-307-4723

#5 Seoul is home to a ghost station of which no one knows.

Truth Behind Ghost Platform of Sinseol-dong

Last year, the Seoul Metro recorded an astonishing 2.7 billion passengers to have ridden the subway. And yet, even on the busiest subway line, line two, there is a so-called ghost station, or platform, that no one is allowed to enter. It's located on the boarded-up third basement level of Sinseoldong Station and has remained a mystery ever since 1974. Since then, the platform has been closed off to the public and left off the station map entirely. Compared to the spooky vibe of the atmosphere, the origin of the haunted platform is actually nothing much to write home about. Back in the 1970s during the construction of line one, the platform was supposed to serve as a connecting track to line five in the future, but later on, a change in the subway line blueprints naturally led to the platform losing its intended purpose. Despite this very simplistic origin, the grim-looking interior, seemingly straight out of a horror flick, has led to it raising popularity.

Tip! Public access is prohibited to the ghost platform!

Tag #SinseoldongStation #GhostStation #HauntedPlatform #GhostPlatform #SubwayLine2 #SubwayLine1

Information.

  • Address B3, Wangsan-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul
Tags

#GwanakMountain #Jangseung #GhostPlatform #Top5 #KoreaSuperstitions #Seoul #FactOrMyth #Superstitions

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  • ご希望の日付及びコースに活動可能な解説士がいない場合、予約はキャンセルされることがあります。
  • 予約を確認するため、徒歩観光事務局(02-6925-0777)で確認のための連絡が行われます。
    (少なくとも5日~1ヶ月前)3回以上電話が通じない場合、予約が取り消されることがあります。
  • 解説を進行する時に発生する安全事故に対し、徒歩観光事務局とソウル文化観光解説士は
    責任を負いません。
  • 気象特報(猛暑、台風、豪雨、PM2.5)によりウォーキングツアーの運営が難しいと判断された場合、全ての予約は中止とさせて頂きます。(発効後直ちにキャンセルを行う)
    ※ 下記のリンクにてご予約当日の気象特報をご確認ください。
    (https://www.accuweather.com/ja/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)
预约前说明事项
  • 观光日基准最少3日前方可进行预约。
  • 最多可申请10人。
    (※ 景福宫, 昌德宫, 昌庆宫是例外 最多可申请20人)
  • 在已登记的预约团体中,只接待不超过预约人数的团体,可在前一天17时前追加预约。
  • 下个月的预约可从前一月15日开始。
  • 如有发热或呼吸道症状(发烧、咳嗽、痰液、肌肉痛、鼻塞、咽喉痛等),请避免参与解说活动。
  • 无保护者随同的未满14岁儿童游客,会在现场取消解说活动。
  • 气象特报(酷暑、台风、暴雨 、雾霾 等)导致徒步观光项目暂停时,所有预约将一律被取消。(发布紧急措施时立即取消)
    ※ 请在以下网站上随时确认预约当天的气象特报。
    (https://www.accuweather.com/zh/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)
  • 对于解说活动中发生的安全事故,首尔徒步解说旅游事务局和首尔文化观光解说社不予负责。
预约前说明事项
  • 观光日基准最少1日前方可进行预约。
  • 本线路是为了行动不便者(行动不便的高龄者、残疾人、婴儿车利用者等)的路线。
  • 无辅助人员(或同行人)伴随时,不可利用。
    ※ 步行不便者1名至少需要1名以上的辅助人员陪同。
    ※ 电动辅助器具(电动轮椅、电动独轮车等)使用者时,每一位辅助人员最多可陪同 4名步行不便者。
  • 希望观光的日期及线路上无解说员时,预约有可能被取消。
  • 为了确认预约,徒步观光事务局(02-6925-0777)会致电进行确认。
    (最少5日~一个月前) 3次以上无法连接时,预约将被取消。
  • 进行解说时,对于有可能发生的安全事故,徒步观光事务局和首尔文化观光解说员概不负责。
  • 气象特报(酷暑、台风、暴雨 、雾霾 等)导致徒步观光项目暂停时,所有预约将一律被取消。(发布紧急措施时立即取消)
    ※ 请在以下网站上随时确认预约当天的气象特报。
    (https://www.accuweather.com/zh/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)
預約前說明事項
  • 最晚請於預約日期3天前完成預約。
  • 最多可申請10人。
    (※ 景福宮, 昌德宮, 昌慶宮是例外 最多可申請20人)
  • 已完成預約的團體若人數超過限制,可於前一天下午5點前追加預約。
  • 每月15日將開放下個月的預約。
  • 若有發燒或呼吸道症狀(發燒、咳嗽、咳痰、肌肉酸痛、鼻塞、喉嚨痛),請避免參與本活動。
  • 未有保護者同行的未滿14歲兒童遊客,會在現場取消參與資格。
  • 氣象特報(酷暑、颱風、暴雨 、霧霾 等)而導致徒步觀光無法進行時,將一律取消所有預約。(發布限令時將立即取消)
    ※ 請在以下網站上隨時確認預約當天的氣象特報。
    (https://www.accuweather.com/zh/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)
  • 進行解說時,對於有可能發生的安全事故,首爾徒步解說觀光事務局和首爾文化觀光解說員概不負責。
預約前說明事項
  • 觀光日基準最少1日前方可進行預約。
  • 本線路是為了行動不便者(行動不便的高齡者、殘疾人、嬰兒車利用者等)的路線。
  • 無輔助人員(或同行人)伴隨時,不可利用。
    ※ 步行不便者1名至少需要1名以上的輔助人員陪同。
    ※ 電動輔助器具(電動輪椅、電動獨輪車等)使用者時,每壹位輔助人員最多可陪同 4名步行不便者。
  • 希望觀光的日期及線路上無解說員時,預約有可能被取消。
  • 為了確認預約,徒步觀光事務局(02-6925-0777)會致電進行確認。
    (最少5日~壹個月前) 3次以上無法連接時,預約將被取消。
  • 進行解說時,對於有可能發生的安全事故,徒步觀光事務局和首爾文化觀光 解說員概不負責。
  • 氣象特報(酷暑、颱風、暴雨 、霧霾 等)而導致徒步觀光無法進行時,將一律取消所有預約。(發布限令時將立即取消)
    ※ 請在以下網站上隨時確認預約當天的氣象特報。
    (https://www.accuweather.com/zh/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)